King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 8:1 Mean?

2 Kings 8:1 in the King James Version says “Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years.

2 Kings 8:1 · KJV


Context

1

Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years.

2

And the woman arose, and did after the saying of the man of God: and she went with her household, and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years.

3

And it came to pass at the seven years' end, that the woman returned out of the land of the Philistines: and she went forth to cry unto the king for her house and for her land.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 8: Prophetic word shapes national events. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with persistent idolatry, particularly Baal worship introduced under Ahab and Jezebel.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 8 takes place during the Elisha prophetic ministry, approximately 850-800 BCE. The chapter's theme (Elisha's International Influence) reflects the historical reality of God's compassionate provision through prophetic miracles while both kingdoms struggled with persistent idolatry. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 8 regarding prophetic word shapes national events?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וֶֽאֱלִישָׁ֡ע1 of 26

Elisha

H477

elisha, the famous prophet

דִּבֶּ֣ר2 of 26

Then spake

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֶל3 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָֽאִשָּׁה֩4 of 26

unto the woman

H802

a woman

בַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר5 of 26

wheresoever

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הֶֽחֱיָ֨ה6 of 26

he had restored to life

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

אֶת7 of 26
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּנָ֜הּ8 of 26

whose son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

לֵאמֹ֗ר9 of 26

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ק֤וּמִי10 of 26

Arise

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

וּלְכִי֙11 of 26
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אַ֣תְּי12 of 26
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וּבֵיתֵ֔ךְ13 of 26

thou and thine household

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

תָּג֑וּרִי14 of 26

and sojourn

H1481

properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);

בַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר15 of 26

wheresoever

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

תָּג֑וּרִי16 of 26

and sojourn

H1481

properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);

כִּֽי17 of 26
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

קָרָ֤א18 of 26

hath called

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

יְהוָה֙19 of 26

for the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לָֽרָעָ֔ב20 of 26

for a famine

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

וְגַם21 of 26
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

בָּ֥א22 of 26

and it shall also come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל23 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאָ֖רֶץ24 of 26

upon the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

שֶׁ֥בַע25 of 26

seven

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

שָׁנִֽים׃26 of 26

years

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Kings 8:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Kings 8:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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